Do you realize the whole point behind God intentionally, thoughtfully, and lovingly creating you with a unique life purpose in mind was, and is, to bring hope to others and glory to God?

To quote Rick Warren from his book, Purpose Driven Life, “It’s not about you.” Admittedly, a statement that stunned me when I read it way back when! I was convicted … there was too much me in my life and my search for purpose.

Your unique purpose—my unique purpose—while it offers the most fulfilling life, points toward others. Why? Because we often need help and hope and now others do, too. Both people near and dear to you and people who will cross your path from time to time (or even just once) need what God wants to provide through you.

So it’s not about you as much as you might think (or I thought). It’s about Christ in you impacting the lives of others for his glory.

Who are people within your reach that need hope?

Purpose Brings Hope And A Reason To Get Up In The Morning

Studies reveal that when a person has a sense of purpose they are more interested – maybe even excited, to get up in the morning. I don’t know about you, but I want to roll out of bed knowing who I am and what I do during my day is significant—something that matters in small ways and in the big, grand, master plan way, too.

When you know you have something you’re meant to contribute and when you aim toward the completion of God’s calling meant just for you, this brings great satisfaction.

And while most days we take small steps toward fulfilling our purpose by doing things like helping our husbands, our spouses, our kids tie their shoes (and before we know it—pack their bags), and friends in the way Christ would, at the right time God opens the way for a big giant leap bringing you closer to fulfilling our part of his master plan.

What’s your reason to get up in the morning?

God Has A Plan When Hope Runs Out

We live in challenging, interesting, and if we allow, worrisome times. If we aren’t careful, if we lose our right focus, we will let the trials and tribulations of the world make withdrawals from our ‘hope’ bank until we’re overdrawn. And lately, with all the tragedy we read and hear about going on in our world or that we are experiencing in our own lives, it’s not hard to do.

But as a woman of faith, you must remember that no matter your circumstance there is always hope. And here’s why.

God has a plan.

For you.

“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

His plan for you is good. Today. And, forever in the future. That kind of good. The more-incredible-than-you-can-imagine good.

Hope Is Meant To Rub Off

The sense of desire for a good future is not for us alone. It’s meant to be passed along. In fact, hope is contagious.

Do you hang out with hopeful people? I hope (uh-hum) so because it rubs off. It’s like a yawn. You know, when someone near you yawns, what’s the next thing you find yourself doing? Yawning. When we’re encouraging, helpful, and hopeful the people next to us begin to be, too.

We’re meant to bring hope to others as we walk the path toward completing our purpose.

And Jesus showed us how.

All along his road toward the cross, his unique purpose and his destiny – Jesus brought excitement, encouragement, and hope in his words and in his actions. Everything he was and did was an invitation to great expectation. Everything you and I do on our pathway to purpose is meant to offer the same.

Let’s be intentional about bringing help and hope to the hurting. Let’s discover and step into our life purpose not only for ourselves but even more for those who have less hope. Let’s rub our hope off onto others bringing glory to God!

Purpose Step

There are people throughout this nation and in your community and even your family who need hope now. Today. Who or what group or cause pulls at your heart most? What past experiences, gifts, talents, resources or knowledge do you have that can help them? How can you be the encouragement they need in only the way you can offer it?

You’re invited to share your comments below about how you are bringing hope to others. Your ideas may inspire and inform others about ways they can help bring more hope, too!

If you’re ready to make a change and find out how you can live your most fulfilling life I’d love to talk to you about how you can discover your God-designed purpose and live your HeartSong. Just contact me here.

Do you want to achieve success? If so, maybe it’s time to realize two life-changing truths that lead to enjoying a successful life.

You Will Not Experience True Success Until You Define It For Yourself

Your Definition and God’s Definition of Success Are Meant To Match

I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t want to be successful,

but very few people have actually spelled out success for themselves.

But if you don’t … you have no way of knowing you achieved it.

Mark Batterson, The Circle Maker

Oddly enough, much of the time we are unaware of and don’t celebrate our successes simply because we have not bothered to define success for ourselves. And once we do, we don’t experience what we imagined because it doesn’t match God’s idea of success for our lives.

Have you defined success for yourself?

Defining Success

The root of the word success in the Hebrew is Sakal – to make or act prudent, understand, be wise, to prosper. These words all relate to an action. So, it seems success is based on an action.

So here’s an action for you to consider and get you started … someone once said things that get written down get done. I find that for me, this is true.

Even God tells the apostle, John, something about writing things down during his exile on the island of Patmos.

Write down what you have seen –

both the things that are now happening

and the things that will happen.

Rev. 1:19

I’m not sure about John’s memory, but perhaps God knew that if John didn’t write things down we wouldn’t know or hear or read all he intended for us. Writing things down helps us remember what needs to be done now and what we are to do in the days to come. Writing things down is an action that organizes, guides, and informs us.

So, writing down your idea of success helps you take aim at and hit your target by helping you organize your thoughts around ideas and specific steps (actions). Writing down what success means to you helps define, prioritize, and keeps you moving forward on a certain path.

And as you review what has happened over time, you are reminded of the progress you’ve made. Honestly, without this clarity success may come and go and you may remain unaware and unamazed.

Have you written down your definition of success?

Insight Into Success

God wants success for you! Do you believe it?

If you’re in a place where you’re not experiencing success as you’ve imagined it there may be a reason. Like in all things, we can gain insight into succes from scripture. This is what God tells Joshua as he prepares to move forward in his own God-designed purpose of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land.

Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you. No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you … I will not fail you or abandon you.

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.

Joshua 1: 3, 5-7

Just like he did for Joshua, God has given you a place in this life—a purpose. He will be there with you just as he was with Joshua. He will not fail or abandon you. But, you must obey. And, here’s a good thing to remeber—bedience is not just an Old Testament law—obedience is an act of loving surrender. And as always, obeying God is in your best interest.

Achieving Success From God’s Perspective

What I learn from this scripture – Joshua’s story – is that if we want true success in our lives we must ask God what success looks like for us from his perspective. Based on what God told Joshua, it might just come down to these issues:

Trust – I will not fail or abandon you. If God promises not to fail or abandon us as we accept his calling on our lives, why would we not trust him? We would have no reason to fear – we can be strong and very courageous knowing and believing—trusting him. If you know your God-designed purpose, do you trust that he is with you?

Obedience – Obey the instructions given you. Once received, we get to decide whether or not we will obey. Obedience is an ongoing, perpetual choice. And like I said before—an act of surrender. An act of love.

It’s really just that simple.

Are you willing to trust and obey your way to success?

Purpose Step

As you go about your week, take time to define what success in life is to you. Write it down. Then, as you study and meditate and pray God’s word, ask what he says success in your life looks like. Write it down. Do the two definitions align?

Once you’ve come into agreement, trust God to go with you and write down what you need to do or change today and in the future to obey his instructions along the way.

Opportunity cost as described by Mark Batterson in his book, Chase the Lion, is the “loss of potential gain when an opportunity isn’t seen and seized.”

Opportunity cost is a business term that is one hundred percent applicable to our walk with Jesus. Opportunity cost in our faith life has everything to do with our willingness to allow God to work through us to accomplish his purpose.

But don’t begin until you count the cost.

Jesus, Luke 14:28

Count the Opportunity Cost

Count the cost, Jesus says, as he teaches about the cost of being a disciple.

We tend to think of the immediate and personal cost of things in terms of loss. Loss of time, money, talent, relationships, sweat, and tears. I suppose those listening to him did, too. But what about the potential loss if you choose to do your own thing rather than what God is calling you toward? What will you be missing? What will it cost others—what will they miss?

Opportunities presented by God are always powered by God’s good and loving plan and purpose for your life. Other options serve only to send you on detours or slow you down from your intended path.

Do you count the opportunity cost of what has been offered to you?

Two Keys To Successful Gain

There are two key words in Batterson’s definition,

Seen

Seized

See With Spiritual Eyes

Years ago, I was invited to give a presentation to hundreds of educators from across the country on how to prepare an excellent report for an on-site accreditation audit.

I declined the invitation. There was no reason for me to reject the offer except one. I was afraid.

I was afraid.

This was very strange because speaking and guiding others was a deep desire of mine. And for a twenty-something female professional building a career, this opportunity was a big deal.

In hindsight it’s clear. I did not see the invitation as an opportunity from God because I wasn’t looking with spiritual eyes. All I could see was my fear. Because I didn’t see it, I didn’t seize it. And I didn’t consider the opportunity cost.What personal, spiritual, and career opportunities did God have planned for me that I missed by declining to step into the opportunity? I may never know.

Where was God leading me that I was afraid and unwilling to go? How was my career and life detoured because I did not see and seize the opportunity? I’m not sure I want to know.

The point is this—as believers we have a responsibility to look with spiritual eyes —beyond the physical at everything and everyone. God wants us to see him at work in our lives and all around us. But if we don’t see with spiritual eyes, we likely neglect to praise and pray about what we’ve seen. And we definitely won’t seize the opportunity given to us.

When Opportunity Knocks

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.

Revelation 3:20,

Sometimes we ignore the knock. Sometimes we hear the knock and open the door a crack to see who or what is on the other side.

If it’s something unexpected, different or scary we may quickly close the door without considering the depth of the message or the Messenger.

When opportunity knocks will you answer? Will you choose to see with spiritual eyes the path Jesus offers? Will you count the opportunity cost? Will you seize the opportunity to do something new and become someone more?

Purpose Step

Choose to be intentional about looking at your life through spiritual eyes. When an invitation comes knocking at the door prayerfully and carefully count the opportunity cost so you do not decline what Christ has planned for you to seize.

I’d love if you’d share your comments on this topic! And if you need help discovering your God-designed purpose so you can live your most fulfilling life contact me here. One more thing … find out more about my free 6-Part Series, “How To Know and Live Your God-Designed Purpose” with just a click! You won’t want to miss it!

You have a unique purpose. It’s not just other people who seem destined for greatness. You know, the other women who have that something special. The ones who seem driven to accomplish what they’ve set their mind to no matter what. The ones we compare ourselves with in just the nicest way as we look at our own lives and think, “Not me. I’m an ordinary gal with an ordinary life. Working hard, trying to succeed, and juggling a too-busy schedule like many others. Do I have a unique purpose? Not so much.”

Well, here’s the truth. You do have a unique purpose. A purpose no less great than anyone else’s. An extraordinary purpose for a not so ordinary gal.

Do you believe you have a specific and chosen purpose? If so, can you name it?

For David had served God’s purpose in his own generation.

Acts 13:36

The Question of Your Unique Purpose

While we’re all here to bring glory to God, it’s clear throughout scripture that God creates us so we each can do this in a way that’s unique and meant just for us in the time and place we live. But, if you still question whether or not you have a made-just-for-you calling, God gives us special hints about the truth of our individual unique design and purpose. And he’s stamped the hints on and in us like a trademark. Hints we just cannot ignore.

Look at your fingerprints

Have your DNA tested

You’ve been created differently from all of the other 7 billion people on the planet. There are no two people alike from the depths of our being to the tips of our fingers.

Still, I, probably like you, have spent too much time running around trying to be like everyone else – to fit in, to belong. Ignoring the truth of God’s plan for my life–the truth that he always meant it to be this way. But why?

Answering The Why of Your Uniqueness And Purpose

Why would God create each of us so uniquely?

Maybe, it’s because he has an awesome, heart-pounding, character growing, faith building, invigorating assignment for each of us to fulfill in the time and place we live – in a way no one else can. And, why should you care?

Because your uniqueness is key to knowing and living your purpose and fulfilling God’s plan.

And, here are three reasons you should know and live yours.

Knowing and Living God’s purpose for your life:

Is God’s will and your responsibility

Brings you unsurpassed meaning, joy, and peace

Impacts those around you.

Have you ever considered that God’s purpose for your life is your responsibility? How does knowing this make you feel?

Resolve To Fulfill Your Purpose

As Christian women, we know and believe, Jesus came to make a way for us by surrendering to his mission – the cross. John 9:51 tells us:

As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven,

Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

I wonder, do we know and believe like Jesus, that we, too, must have the resolve to surrender ourselves and accept the responsibility to know and live God’s purpose for our lives? Not only so we change and experience more meaning, peace, and joy (though we will) but so the lives of others are impacted and changed as well … according to God’s will and glory.

How do you think the level of meaning in your life would change if you lived each day knowing God chose you for a unique purpose? And, what if you were determined to fulfill it? Whose lives might be changed?

Purpose Step

Write down the answers to the questions above. What did you learn about yourself? About God? About your purpose?

Listen To Your HeartSong Life Coach

What’s your unique purpose? God has designed you for a special assignment. Do you know what it is? Feel free to share what you know below. If you aren’t sure, please contact me. I’d love to talk with you. And when you’re ready, schedule your complimentary Discovery Consultation.

Meaningful life requires taking action outside of yourself rather than keeping yourself to yourself.

I get it the whole self-preservation thing. I’ve been known to keep people at arms length like the quarterback running stiff-armed, head down, legs moving as fast as he can so he can make it to the goal line unscathed and leather treasure in tact. Only for me, it was more about the threat and potential of harsh words, defeat, and pain often found in relationships not having a chance to reach me that kept me running, goals tucked under my arm, toward the end of the day.

But it’s in this place of neat, ordered self that real love often desires most to break through.

Make no mistake, a more meaningful life means more than only knowing your why. And it’s more specific and personal than generally wondering how you can let God’s light shine (although in the end, that’s the point).

A more meaningful life requires action motivated by love for him and for others as only you can provide and are designed to offer.

And, I hate to break it to you but when others are involved things get real and … love can be messy. (Actually, I’m thinking you might already know this.)

Are you willing to stop what you’re doing and love with more than words today?

A Meaningful Life Is Sacrifice

Think of those you love most.

In loving them you find joy, laughter, and comfort. But there are times you also find a real and painful mess as you:

sacrifice your wants and desires,

bite your tongue,

wait with patience,

say ‘no’, and

let go.

Why do you suffer through all this? Because you love him, her, them. So you do what you need to do. You make a move. You take action. You sacrifice as only you can.

Just like Jesus.

What sacrificial move can you make today to show love to someone and build more meaning into you life as you do?

Willing to Let Love Act

The challenge of reaching out to a nearby community to love them as individuals and adopted families was discussed at a recent church meeting. The question on the table was how do we help the people of our church lovingly build relationships, respond to their needs, and set boundaries?

One wise pastor responded, “I’m not going to lie. We’re talking about relationships. And relationships are messy.” His words made me wonder how willing I am to let love act through me and beyond me. Beyond the safety of my comfort zone … where God is at work.

This sacrificial and willing act of love is exactly what Jesus did for you – for us. He left the splendor of his throne to walk directly to his destiny, the God-purposed cross, and dive crown-deep into our messed-up lives. He poured out every drop of his blood, took the heat and the hits for us, and showed us that for now – in this world – real love in action runs over, spills out, and sacrifices. It’s messy.

Messy because love moves even in the face of fear, habits, routines, and objections. Real because it asks us to trust, believe, give, and lay bear our selfish desires and reveal our vulnerable, authentic selves so Christ really can shine through.

What opportunity has God opened up to you recently that you’ve rejected without thought or prayer because it messed with your schedule or seemed too difficult or disruptive … or sacrificial? What would help you be more willing walk where he leads and become vulnerable to his calling?

Real Meaning – Real Life

Jesus calls us forward to live our life purpose, a more meaningful life – actually, the most meaningful life, through selfless action. Like he did.

Yes, it may be messy. But it’s there, having been poured out and roughed up that love becomes real, the why of our life is exposed, a more meaningful life is lived, and his purposes through you are fulfilled.

Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time,

not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.

Does it hurt?’ asked the Rabbit. ‘Sometimes,’ said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful.

‘When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.’

The Velveteen Rabbit

Purpose Step

Knowing and living your life purpose creates a more meaningful life because you answer the call to sacrifice for others and build the kingdom of God. Who is God calling you to serve with your passions, experience, gifts and talents? Are you willing to sacrifice self to know and live your life purpose, take action, and risk real, messy love?

Life fulfillment does not precede thanks. I’ve tried that. Not going to happen. Not the kind of life fulfillment we as Christian women crave. So if you’ve been waiting for that thing to happen – the phone call, the offer, the revelation, the miracle – it’s worth noting: a thankful heart comes first.

“Father, I thank you that you have heard me.

I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out.

John 11:41-43

Do you agree, if Jesus knew gratitude from the heart precedes life-changing miracles, it might be something to incorporate into our lives as we navigate our way to fulfillment and purpose?

Life Fulfillment Calls For An Attitude of Gratitude

Grumbling and discontent reveal ungratefulness and cannot exist with faith and a thankful heart.

For many years I believed I was grateful. I really did.

But what I came to realize is that while I spoke words of thanks in one breath, in the next I heard myself inwardly and out loud complaining about the way things seemed to be going.

I was tired of waiting for the thing that would make life more fulfilling. I hate to admit it but I got stuck on the three w’s:

Why,

Why not, and

When will you ever, God?

Stuck for a long time.

As God looked down at my verbal stomping I imagine he witnessed something like a three year old in the check out line at the grocery store demanding the brightly wrapped candy and fussing because she wasn’t getting it – right now!

Surely, in such instances God must say to us like we do to our children … When you stop stomping and griping, I’ll consider your request. Or … After that display? No ma’am. You’ve got some changes to make in your attitude. You’ll have to wait.

You Must Choose

It’s impossible to be thankful and ungrateful at the same time. I had to choose.

Will I express my faith through heart-felt thanks for what I have today regardless of God’s response?

Will I remain prideful, self-focused, and blind to anything and everything – except me?

Jesus makes clear that thanks precedes fulfillment and leads to life-changing miracles throughout the New Testament. At the last supper with the disciples, he took the bread and gave thanks knowing the cross was soon to come.

Still, he gave thanks for what he had been given at that time and in that moment.

Then, God gave the life-changing, transformational miracle.

Be Intentional. Choose To Give Thanks. Experience Life Fulfillment.

Living a life of thanksgiving is not something that comes naturally to us … at least not at first.

Moving from a hard-earned, pride-filled position of thinking we should get this or that how and when we want it, to a bowed-down position of believing the goodness of God’s plans no matter how long we must wait or what we must learn, requires moment-by-moment attention and intention.

If you’re waiting on God for an answer or a transformational miracle so you will finally find fulfillment at home, work, and in life remember Jesus’ example and be intentional about giving thanks first for what you’ve already been given.

Because thanks precedes fulfillment.

Purpose Step

Be intentional about giving thanks throughout your day today … and tomorrow … for all God has given you. Repeat.

If you are ready to experience your most fulfilling life, contact met here. Find out how experiencing your HeartSong Journey can help you break free from what holds you back and discover your God-designed purpose and ask about scheduling your complimentary HeartSong Discovery Consultation.

Unanswered prayer is a common obstacle we women struggle with as we navigate God’s path on our journey to purpose.

Can you relate?

Often, what we may consider unanswered prayer isn’t so much that. It’s more God’s message of not yet. And while he is not legalistic about our prayers, he is continually drawing us out and forward to be more like Christ in our mind and heart even as we lift our hands and pray.

In other words, maybe we’re not so much waiting on him as he is waiting on us.

Here are six scripture verses that when deeply considered, may bring the wisdom, teaching, and change God awaits from us before moving from not yet to now.

6 Scriptures Can Bring Change To Unanswered Prayer

But seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Who or what is at the top of your list of priorities? Who do you value most in your life? What relationship do you consider most worthy of your time?

While it is God who calls us to him and works through us to his good will, he does give you and me the choice to decline his invitation to grow and mature our relationship.

There’s only one way to change this … intentionally make Jesus your number one priority. Number one means number one. Over husband, children, career, self, and so on.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you. John 15: 7

In the Greek, the word remain means to stay, abide, be present in a given place, state, relation or expectancy. (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible)

Jesus telling us to remain in him is to say, “Hang out with me. Walk with me. Talk with me. I love you. I am love. Pray your heartfelt prayers to me. I will answer them and you, my daughter, will receive the desires of your heart.”

Are you remaining in the presence of Love throughout your day? Are you talking with, praying to, listening, and expecting him to answer?

Or, do you throw up a prayer along with your hands and fret that he hasn’t heard you. Do you question his concern, time, and willingness to hear your prayer?

Will you allow yourself to be present with him throughout your days? Will you allow yourself to be loved by him in this way?

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. James 1:6-8

This one really hits home. Not long ago, as I bowed my head to the floor saying a long repeated prayer wondering when God was ever going to get around to answering. Immediately, I heard the Spirit of the Lord whisper firmly: Stop doubting.

Doubting is the opposite of believing. It is wavering – floundering in uncertainty. Wanting to believe but dare I say, afraid to commit to belief?

And if our unbelief is founded in fear then the truth is; we have forgotten how much we are loved. Because there is no fear in love. (1 John 4:18)

Do you need to believe – not doubt – as you pray? Do you remember God’s lavish love for you as you pray? Stop doubting and believe.

When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:3

Why do you ask? I wonder … if we imagine Jesus responding to our prayers with this question would we reconsider the request?

Of course, like all questions Jesus asks, this one is rhetorical. He already knows the answer.

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you our sins. Mark 11:12

God desires we be reconciled with one another through forgiveness. In fact, his is the very purpose of the cross. Forgiveness. And God’s motive for his reconciliation with us is love. (This is always God’s motivation – is it yours? See #4 above).

Our Father has forgiven us for past, current, and even future sins by the sacrificial love of Christ.

You are no longer a sinner. You are saved. Knowing and believing this, how can we hold anything against another?

Will you forgive as you stand praying?

Desperate For An Answer To Unanswered Prayer

If you desperately seek God’s response to unanswered prayer as you journey to purpose remember not yet really is an answer.

Then ask yourself, could it be while you wait for him he is waiting for you?

Purpose Step

Answer each of the questions above. How will you and your prayers change? Be sure to listen for and record God’s answers to your prayers.

If you don’t yet know your God-designed purpose I hope you’ll reach out, I’d love to help you! If you do know your purpose but are struggling with doubt, fear or other obstacles along your path contact me here and we can discuss together how HeartSong Life Coach might be where God is calling you to discover your breakthrough!

Listen to Your HeartSong

You Can Overcome Temptation

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Temptation. A tool used by the enemy hoping to keep you repeating the same old lessons, to keep you from enjoy life and a life of purpose … until you give up and give in. But God allows temptation not to harm us but for our good. It’s an opportunity to build character.

And, even though we can expect temptation, we can also expect there really is a way out.

Overcome Temptation

Just a couple more chips. Another drink won’t hurt. This inexpensive, unplanned purchase isn’t going to really matter. Sharing a little information about her won’t really hurt anyone.

How can you pass by temptation and instead pass the character test?

Wise Avoidance. Do all you can to avoid the path, the place, the habits that draw you into temptation and justification.

Recognize Your Gap Time. If and when you find yourself in the face of temptation, recognize the gap of time God provides just before you make your decision for or against temptation. Your gap moments are meant to be used as the opportunity to seek Truth and the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Wise Avoidance of Temptation

In the book of Proverbs, we are to seek wisdom. Wisdom says…

Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.

Proverbs 4:14-15

In other words, don’t set yourself up to be tempted in the first place.

Don’t go down the ice cream and wine aisle at the grocery store. Don’t pull into the mall parking lot on your way home to window shop. And for Pete’s sake, set boundaries with or stay away from friends who gossip.

If you don’t go there, temptation won’t have easy access to you.

Recognize The Gap Time

There are times we find ourselves tempted regardless of our best efforts. When this happens, our Savior sees and provides a gap of time to defend and escape. This time may be momentary, but it is always long enough to seek help and choose the way out.

This gap exists between the time a thought of temptation enters our minds and the choice we make to either go with our fleshly desires and the enemy’s lies or stand against them.

The gap is God’s open door … his way of escape.

Fill The Gap

When you recognize your ‘gap time’ you get to choose, how you will fill the gap. Will you fill it with your desires – or with surrender.

Choosing surrender requires a desire for Christ over self.

Believe, me. I know. Giving up our desires … it’s hard.

And the truth is, we live in a world of temptations. Overcoming them is an ongoing challenge. At the same time, it’s an opportunity to grow in the character of Christ.

Even Paul with His overwhelming love, faith, and deep, deep relationship with Christ found himself on the wrong side of temptation from time to time. He says this:

I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it.

Instead, I do what I hate.

Romans 7:15

Paul also recognized it was not by his strength that he accomplished anything … it was by God’s might and the power within him to overcome.

You are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit,

if the Spirit of God live in you.

Romans 8:9

When we rely on ourselves to leave temptation behind we will ultimately fail. But, when we trust in the power of Christ in us, we can overcome temptation and live victoriously.

Purpose Step

Name your biggest temptation? Decide now how you can avoid it. When you do find you’re being tempted, recognize your gap time. Choose to escape through surrender to Christ.

Listen To Your HeartSong

If you’d like help overcoming temptation and whatever keeps you from discovering your life purpose and living your HeartSong contact me here for more information and your HeartSong Discovery Session.

Have you considered your lack of faith might be keeping you stuck? Unable to grasp your God-designed purpose and so not fulfilling it? Do you feel like you can’t go on with your God-directed goals? Are you tempted to quit? Stop doubting.

Lack of Faith Is Doubt. Stop Doubting

I remember a particular time when I was stuck, confused, frustrated, and felt like giving up on what I knew God gave me to do.

Nothing was happening. Nothing was coming together no matter what I tried. Facing what looked like a dead end, I found myself on my knees praying – pleading really, God, I don’t know what to do.

Quietly but firmly I heard these words in my Spirit:

Stop doubting.

Interestingly, but not coincidently, I immediately stopped crying. (Yes, I didn’t mention it before but I had been praying, pleading, and crying.) There was peace in the Holy Spirit’s message to me. My eyes were open to the real issue. The problem was clarified.

My lack of faith in God’s work and timing (rather than my own) kept my eyes shut to the truth … God was working His plan for me, I just needed to surrender to it completely – especially the timing. My doubt was getting in the way of the fulfillment of my purpose.

Lack of faith isn’t normally looked upon as a good thing by anyone. Including God – until we open are spiritual eyes to see.

See With Spiritual Eyes

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen.

2 Corinthians 4:18

Does your impatience sometimes get the best of you? Does it keep you blind to what’s going on spiritually – right in front of you?If so, God has an answer for you like he did me. And when we look at scripture, the answer is often easy to see.

In Psalm 81:7-14, God hones in on key reminders to his people:

In your distress you called and I rescued you. I answered you. I tested you. If you would but listen and follow my ways, I would satisfy you.

True to his character, God was faithful to use my distress for good. He answered me just as he did the Israelites…stop doubting. His timing tested my willfulness. When I listened for him I was immediately satisfied.

God can and will use your lack of faith – and all things – for your good.(Romans 8:28)

Lack of Faith? Take Action.

Throughout the New Testament we see Jesus addressing the issue of those blinded by unbelief. Many times, when he speaks of doubt, not believing, or lack of faith the discussion includes a call to action.

Here are examples of four scriptures (paraphrased) along with references so you can look them up if you like. Notice the tie between faith and action.

John 5: 6, 8 “Do you want to get well? … Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”

Matthew 14: 27-31 “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid … Come. You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

John 9: 1-38 As Jesus went along he saw a man blind from birth … He spit on the ground, made mud with his saliva and put it on the man’s eyes saying, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam … Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (Siloam means ‘sent’ … a call to action!)

Whether we doubt our ability, God’s strength within us, or his timing; or when we are blind to what God is doing for us, through us, and right in front of us he makes it clear that faith and action – or better – faith in action, is part of his plan.

Will you join me to take action, stop doubting, and know God will fulfill his beautiful purpose and plan for your life?

Purpose Step

What does faith in action look like as Jesus calls you along your way to knowing and fulfilling your God-designed purpose?

I’d love it if you’d share your thoughts by commenting below. If God is leading you to ask for help getting unstuck or you need help knowing his path and purpose for your life, contact me for your complimentary HeartSong Discovery Consultation here.

Fulfilling Your Destiny Together

Most likely, you want to reach and fulfill your destiny – your purpose. While your destiny is fully and completely designed to be yours, getting there is a partnership. But, rather than work as though the journey to knowing and living it is an independent study, God wants you (and me) to experience it together – with him – as one. You do not have to do it alone.

Remain in me, and I in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
John 15:4

Good Question – God’s Answer

“How do you keep from compartmentalizing Jesus?” I was asked during a women’s group Bible study. “I don’t know what you mean,” was my response.

Good question.

“You know, when you’re working and your mind is thinking of other things and not about God,” she said. “Oh, yea, I think everyone does that,” I responded.

I hated my answer.

Not surprisingly, soon after our conversation I heard a voice on the radio speak Jesus’ words straight to my heart:

Remain in me, and I in you.

That was the answer to my friend’s question. That was God’s answer to me … and now to you.

Remain.

Choosing to Remain

The Greek translation for the word ‘remain’ is meno. It means to abide, stay in a given state of expectancy, to be present.

Remain in me, and I in you. To remain in Christ is an intentional practice. It’s recognizing him with you here and now. It’s you expecting and acknowledging his presence (Holy Spirit within you).

Remaining is busting God out of the box you’ve relegated him to and acknowledging his leading and grace as you go about, well – everything: the habits, work, routine, and inconveniences that make up your day.

Compartmentalizing is the opposite of remaining. Forbes writes this about compartmentalization.

Compartmentalizing reminds me of the story of Joseph being thrown into a pit – separated from them – and left to die by his controlling, envious brothers. Joseph was an inconvenience. He got in the way of their preferences and their lives. (Genesis Chapter 37)

As with Joseph, compartmentalizing Jesus is to separate him … to keep him in a box (pit?). Could this be our subconscious or even conscious attempt to hold back truth and light from our fleshly preferences and beliefs about others, our situation, and ourselves so we can get through the day our way?

As I see it, in the end, you and I have one of two choices:

1. Compartmentalize Christ – separate him from our thoughts, words, and work.
2. Remain in Christ – do life with him.

If you’re a woman who desires to reach her God-determined destiny, remember you are not alone. Let Jesus out of your box. Press in. Choosing to remain in Christ is the only way to get there.

Remaining In Contact With God

When we decide to surrender our moments, our thoughts, our celebrations, our emergencies, our driving around, long hours of work, cleaning up after the kids, and ordinary days to the One who made them in the first place – we remain.

Maybe it means talking with Christ at the grocery store or whispering to him on your evening walk. Perhaps it asking Jesus to reveal his answer to a problem. It could be crying to him for help when you’re at the end of your rope. Maybe it’s all of that and more. The point is he is with you … because he loves you and wants to love through you in everything you do and everywhere you go.

This is what Frank Laubach, a missionary and pastor, recalled in 1930 about remaining in Christ as he conducted a life experiment to increase his intimacy and have contact with God all the time.

We try to call Him to mind at least one second of each minute. We do not need to forget other things nor stop our work, but we invite Him to share everything we do or say or think. Hundreds of us have experimented until we have found ways to let Him share every minute of our waking hours.

And later, Laubach wrote this in his journal:

Last Monday was the most completely successful day of my life to date, so far as giving my day in complete and continuous surrender to God is concerned … I remember how as I looked at people with a love God gave, they looked back and acted as though they wanted to go with me. I felt then that for a day I saw a little of that marvelous pull that Jesus had as He walked along the road day after day “God-intoxicated” and radiant with the endless communion of His soul with God.

On the path to your destiny, sweet sister, intentionally choose to remain in Christ. He will remain in you.

You don’t have to do it alone.

Purpose Step

Take your every day life and surrender it to God. Choose moment-by-moment and day-by-day to remain in Christ – to be God-intoxicated – throughout your day on your way to your God-determined destiny.

Listen to Your HeartSong

If you would like help knowing and fulfilling your God-designed purpose so you can live your HeartSong, contact me here. I’d be honored to discuss more by scheduling your complimentary HeartSong Discovery Consultation.

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Client Success

Your wisdom and discernment brought clarity as you probed deeper to reveal God’s truths. It’s easy to see why you are called to be a Life Coach.

Denise G.

2017-04-13T03:01:50+00:00

Denise G.

Your wisdom and discernment brought clarity as you probed deeper to reveal God’s truths. It’s easy to see why you are called to be a Life Coach.

http://heartsonglifecoach.com/testimonials/denise-g/

Having my lifeplan done was like receiving a cold glass of water on a hot summer day.

Cheryl B.

2017-04-13T02:47:34+00:00

Cheryl B.

Having my lifeplan done was like receiving a cold glass of water on a hot summer day.

http://heartsonglifecoach.com/testimonials/cheryl-b/

My life's passion involves working with smart, funny, and holy women. Gail revealed those characteristics as she stepped into a leadership role at her first conference with us in 2006. Since then, she has been obedient to follow the Lord’s calling and now lives her own heartsong as a Professional Certified Life Purpose Coach. I am thrilled to be affiliated with Gail and HeartSong Life Coach.

My life's passion involves working with smart, funny, and holy women. Gail revealed those characteristics as she stepped into a leadership role at her first conference with us in 2006. Since then, she has been obedient to follow the Lord’s calling and now lives her own heartsong as a Professional Certified Life Purpose Coach. I am thrilled to be affiliated with Gail and HeartSong Life Coach.